Emergency Preparedness

It's Time To Get Ready

There are any number of ways our normal lives can be turned upside down. A blizzard, ice storm, tornado, earthquake or hurricane may interrupt power and water service for days, maybe even weeks. Our own government officials have said that citizens need to be prepared with supplies to help them through at least 72 hours of utility interruption. Coleman helps you be prepared for outdoor activity, but we can also help you be prepared should an emergency arise. The same equipment that helps you have fun at the campsite helps you get by if the power grid goes down.

"Assemble and maintain a disaster supplies kit with food, water, medications, fuel and personal items adequate for up to 2 weeks - the more the better".—Are you Ready: A Guide to Citizen Preparedness, 2002, FEMA Page 91

When the power goes out, the Coleman gear that comes in so handy for camping will allow you to:

Ensure that you have potable water by boiling water on your Coleman stove, in case of a boil order.

Prepare any food that simply needs heating, or boiled water. This will also allow you to boil water for infant formula.

At Coleman, we believe it's time for all of us to take action. So we've created a checklist called The Basics. It includes the absolute necessities to have on hand before the storm season starts.

The Basics begins with a call for common sense. Listen to all warnings and take them seriously. It continues with a dozen checkpoints of items that would really be missed if they weren't available during a hurricane or other disaster.

Fresh water and non-perishable, non-refrigerated food for at least three days

For additional disaster readiness information, visit these sites:

Be Prepared

Don't put it off until a storm is approaching or has already struck. If the power outage and local damage is widespread, supplies will be quickly exhausted at area stores. Emergency preparedness experts advise that a home should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.

Check the batteries

Have two extra sets of batteries on hand for each flashlight, fluorescent lantern, radio and other essential battery-powered equipment. Store the batteries with the products, but not inside them. Dead batteries can leak and cause damage if left inside battery compartments for long periods. Better yet, invest in rechargeable or hand-powered lights and radios. Shop for Battery Lanterns or Flashlights.

Keep fuel lanterns on hand, too

Although flashlights are a useful and necessary source of portable light, they are not as bright as fuel-powered lanterns. Always have on hand the appropriate fuel for your lantern and campstove, and store the fuel outside in a proper location. Fuel-powered lanterns must never be used indoors. Shop for Propane Lanterns, Liquid Fuel Lanterns, or Kerosene Lanterns.

Don't forget the stove

Campstoves provide a perfect cooking alternative when home electric or gas stoves are inoperable. A two-burner campstove is a compact, portable and convenient means to provide hot meals and hot drinks for days on end if necessary. Models are available that run on propane or liquid camping fuel (sometimes called white gas). In addition Coleman® Dual Fuel™ models can run on either liquid camping fuel or unleaded gasoline. It's a good idea to select a stove that uses the same type of fuel as your lantern. Fuel-powered campstoves must never be used indoors. Shop for stoves.

Safe water for drinking and cooking is essential

Maintain adequate quantities of bottled water, or acquire safe tap water and store it temporarily in 5- to 10-gallon beverage coolers or picnic jugs when severe weather warnings are issued. Municipal water supplies can become tainted quickly in the wake of certain storms. Follow recommended boiling procedures once stored supplies are exhausted. Shop for Jugs and Beverage Coolers.

Check your food supply

Always have on hand at least a three-day supply of canned goods and other non-perishables. Fresh and frozen foods can spoil quickly when the electricity goes out, so transfer meats and other perishables into insulated coolers, using block ice, crushed ice or reusable ice substitute packs. Eat perishable items first to avoid spoilage. Shop for Coolers.

Stay warm

During cold weather emergencies, sleeping bags can be used for auxiliary bedding. Shop for Sleeping Bags.